Fight for swim team extends beyond roster

March 25, 2026 The Parthenon

Marshall’s decision to reinstate Swimming and Diving marked a turning point, but for those closest to the fight, the weeks that followed revealed the full weight of what it took to get there and what still lies ahead.

For junior swimmer Nina Nugent, the moment the decision became real was not just a headline but the culmination of weeks of legal action, advocacy and uncertainty. As one of the plaintiffs in a Title IX lawsuit filed against Marshall University, Nugent learned of the university’s intent to reach a resolution before the public announcement.

Those not involved in the case found out after news broadcast, but for Nugent and her teammates, the outcome represented validation of a fight they believed in from the beginning.

“We knew that we had a case due to Title IX,” Nugent said. “… we knew that this is something we truly cared about. We weren’t going to just give up.”

That sentiment was reinforced by widespread support from the community, alumni and lawmakers. Nugent and her teammates traveled to the state capitol to advocate for Senate Bill 502 and to meet with delegates, who she said became key allies in their effort.

The result, she said, was surprising, but also expected, given the push the team had from the aforementioned bill dedicated to protecting women’s collegiate sports.

“I was shocked that it happened this quickly,” Nugent said. “But I wasn’t really shocked with the outcome.”

For many on the team, the reinstatement brought immediate relief, but did not erase the emotional and academic toll of the previous five weeks. Athletes balanced schoolwork with travel as they explored transfer options, often completing assignments in airports, hotels and on planes while facing the possibility of losing their program.

“It was a really hard time for everyone,” Nugent said. “People struggled academically. They were trying to build a future in the sport they love while still managing everything else.” 

Despite those challenges, Nugent said the experience ultimately strengthened the team’s bond, reinforcing a culture built not just on success in the pool but on resilience in adversity.

That resilience extended beyond the current roster. Alumni, including Lauren Hunter, played a critical role in amplifying the team’s message and mobilizing support across the country.

Hunter said the reinstatement felt like both relief and validation, particularly after the uncertainty surrounding earlier Board of Governors meetings.

“We were hopeful, but we really weren’t sure,” Hunter said. “To see the university come back and say they were ready to listen and adjust was huge.”

Hunter credited the outcome to a uniquely connected community, describing Marshall as a place where alumni engagement runs deep and personal ties remain strong long after graduation.

“This worked because of what Marshall is … it’s a small but incredibly supportive community,” Hunter said.

Alumni helped identify legislative pathways, including Senate Bill 502, which passed the Senate and is currently awaiting the governor’s signature, while current athletes carried that work forward on the ground. Hunter compared
the effort to preparing for a marathon, with alumni laying the groundwork and athletes executing it step by step through daily advocacy at the Capitol.

The visibility of that effort elevated the issue beyond a single program, Hunter said.

“This became about more than just swimming and diving,” Hunter said. “It’s about women’s sports, Olympic sports and the future of college athletics.”

That broader impact is something Nugent also emphasized. She said the team’s fight sends a message not only within the swimming community but across collegiate athletics.

“We prove that women’s sports matter,” Nugent said. “Non-revenue sports are important, and we’re not going away.”

Still, the reinstatement comes with challenges. The team lost athletes to the transfer portal and saw at least one incoming recruit change commitments during the uncertainty. Rebuilding the roster will take time, though Nugent said the administration has committed to supporting recruiting efforts moving forward.

Trust, Nugent added, is also a work in progress.

“It is hard to have that trust after what happened … but we’re making steps in the right direction,” Nugent said.

For junior swimmer Parker Lynch, the reinstatement carries deeply personal meaning. As a nursing student, transferring was not a viable option, leaving her athletic future in jeopardy when the program was cut.

“The reinstatement of our team means more than just returning to the pool,” Lynch said. “It means I get the chance to finish both my academic and athletic journey.”

Lynch, who was recovering from hip surgery when the program was initially cut, said competing at conference under the assumption it could be her last meet reshaped her perspective on the sport.

“It gave me a new appreciation for every moment I get to compete,” Lynch said.

Like her teammates, Lynch also found growth through advocacy, traveling to the capitol and speaking out in support of Senate Bill 502.

“I learned how powerful our voices can be when we stand up for something bigger than ourselves,” Lynch said.

As the program looks ahead, both athletes and alumni see the reinstatement not as an endpoint but as a foundation. Fundraising efforts are already underway through Marshall’s Big Green Foundation, the university’s athletic support organization, and discussions continue around long-term financial sustainability.

For Hunter, the goal is not just to preserve the program but to strengthen it for future generations.

“We get to work together now … not just to save it, but to build something sustainable,” Hunter said.

Nugent echoed that sentiment, pointing to increased visibility and community support as opportunities for growth. In the days following the announcement, fundraising efforts had already generated significant momentum, signaling renewed investment in the program’s future.

The team is also returning to the community in the immediate term. On March 28, swimmers will host a Swim Across America fundraiser for cancer research, an event that echoes their commitment beyond competition.

For those who fought for reinstatement, the story is no longer just about what was lost, but what was proven along the way.

“We’ve built a community that fights for each other … and for others too,” Nugent said.

As Marshall moves forward, that message may become the program’s most enduring legacy, shaping not only its future but reinforcing the resilience that carried the team through one of the most uncertain chapters in its history.